Mikey... I'm just curious what the thinking is in listing Letang (who had an outstanding showing for sure) over Duper? While listing both would obviously open the discussion to accusations of 'homerism', I personally would have probably put PD on the list in Letangs spot.

It was really close. Dupuis is a good choice to be sure. I favored Letang because he helped to orchestrate a shutout in a playoff game, I really liked his transition game all night...he was really skating with the puck well I thought. He activated a lot and played a big part in the offense while being a big part of things defensively of course.

If it's ever close, I'll always pick a defenseman over a winger. So much more responsibility.

I did have him marked for a giveaway, but the NHL does not. I thought in the mid third he turned the puck over inside the center circle but the stat keepers apparently thought otherwise. I'll have to re-watch...

mikey287 wrote:It was really close. Dupuis is a good choice to be sure. I favored Letang because he helped to orchestrate a shutout in a playoff game, I really liked his transition game all night...he was really skating with the puck well I thought. He activated a lot and played a big part in the offense while being a big part of things defensively of course.

If it's ever close, I'll always pick a defenseman over a winger. So much more responsibility.

I did have him marked for a giveaway, but the NHL does not. I thought in the mid third he turned the puck over inside the center circle but the stat keepers apparently thought otherwise. I'll have to re-watch...

I can't believe that wasn't counted as a giveaway. It definitely was one, in a dangerous area no less.

Like I've said, you can put another name there and be just as right, ya know? It really is an exercise in futility to do it this early before some of the oil can separate from the water...but whatever...I've noticed Doughty in a positive manner quite a bit so far, so I put him on the list...will he be on it after tonight? I guess we'll see...

relantel wrote:this almost has the feel of preseason polls. Kind of premature. Fun to talk about, perhaps, but premature nonetheless.

Has it ever gone to a player who did not make the SCF?

Yup to the first line (as per the OP). Nope to the second line. It rarely goes to a loser in the Finals, much less someone that doesn't make the Finals.

the only losers I recall in the last 30 years were two goaltenders, Giguere and Hextall. Looking it up, 5 won it on the losing team, 4 of which were goaltenders. Two of those were in the first four years of the trophy. Reggie Leach was only skater to do it in 1976. Suspect it would be very hard to have a losing skater win it this day and age. Would have to be miles ahead statistically of any winning player.

Yeah, Leach got it because he broke the record for goals in a playoffs I think (19). Hall's and Giguere's were kind of a handout (Hall was swept in the Finals, as I recall but he was leading an expansion team into the jaws of doom). Hextall was very good for the Flyers in the '87 Finals, but I can't speak to most of the rest of that playoffs. Unfortunately, I never did learn very much in my travels about Crozier's win in 1966 or 1968 (I think?).